This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been making waves in the Kikuyu media scene, with almost all top Kikuyu language radio and TV stations hosting him on their breakfast programs over the last year.
However, it was on August 27th that the ODM leader's popularity reached new heights when all major Kikuyu TV and radio broadcasters sent their morning show presenters to his residence in Nairobi's Karen suburb to interview him, a feat only President Uhuru Kenyatta has achieved in the past.
The wide-ranging interview was aired live on Inooro TV, Inooro FM, Kameme FM, Kameme TV, Coro FM, and Gukena FM between 7am and 9am.
During the interview, Raila addressed various issues, including the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), his agenda for the Mt Kenya region, and the 2022 presidential race.
He pitched his bid to the Mt Kenya residents, saying he would help the vote-rich region regain its economic status.
“Kikuyu people are hardworking. All they need from the government is support and I’m ready to do that,” he said.
He also denied any bad blood between him and the Kikuyu people, attributing the claims to propaganda.
“What has been going on is propaganda. I don’t take it personally, My name had to be tarnished because I was running for President against their sons in 2007, 2013, and 2017,” he said.
He also revealed that he has family ties to the Kikuyu community, with his late son Fidel married to a girl from Kiambu and his other son Junior married to a woman from Murang’a.
However, the frequent interviews have raised eyebrows, with some seeing it as a strategy by State House to market Raila in an area that has traditionally voted against him.
Supporters of Deputy President William Ruto believe that the ODM leader's popularity boost is a result of the 'Deep State' using presenters from certain stations to advance his agenda by painting DP Ruto in a bad light.
